Business Grants

 

Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council is committed to transforming the economy of Barnsley. Only by diversifying and creating a modern, knowledge driven economy can we hope to build a more prosperous future for the Borough.

Through Barnsley Development Agency and the Council's Community Based Learning Service, BMBC can help your business at any stage of it's development.

Grants provide financial assistance to businesses to help them achieve a specific business objective. They are available from many different sources - central and local government agencies, charitable foundations and private sector bodies.

Business Links are committed to encouraging innovation, supporting new businesses and existing companies that want to grow, as well as helping those planning to move to the area.

The best place for businesses to find out what grants are available for a specific business is through the Business Link Network, who will provide you with a business adviser, with whom you can discuss financial support and any other business issues.

Barnsley Development Agency (BDA), a part of Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, offers a range of advice to businesses as well as community and voluntary groups, including:

Investment and Development - supporting business

The Investment and Development team offers existing Barnsley companies and businesses relocating to the area a friendly and professional service, free of charge.

The team works in partnership with organisations offering business expertise and advice, including Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, Business Link South Yorkshire and Barnsley Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to provide companies with a 'one stop shop' meeting all their expansion and relocation needs.

Services provided include:

 

• land and property information and advice
• planning information and advice
• financial assistance and grant availability
• recruitment and training support
• business advice
• ongoing project support and aftercare programme.

 

Grimethorpe Regeneration Executive - creating opportunities

Grimethorpe Regeneration Executive (GRE) is helping to make Grimethorpe a better place to live and work by developing the local economy and helping business to flourish in the area.

Supported by a strong public and private sector partnership, GRE provides a number of services to businesses that are interested in relocating to Park Springs, an area which has been redeveloped to offer industrial and business land and premises on former colliery sites.

The team is able to assist companies with:

 

• grant applications
• planning applications
• site negotiations
• signposting
• research

 

Social Enterprise Barnsley - supporting communities

Social Enterprise Barnsley (SEB) is helping to develop and grow the social economy in Barnsley by providing support to voluntary and community groups.

Groups and organisations in diverse sectors such as childcare, recycling, construction, credit unions, sports associations, heritage groups and computer training providers have benefited from SEB's business support service which incorporates:

 

• business planning
• funding
• marketing and promotion
• personnel
• information technology

 

SEB also coordinates the Barnsley Transitional Labour Market (TLM) programme which enables long-term unemployed people, and those with additional barriers such as lone parents, into employment with real wages and decent terms and conditions.

Community Based Learning

BMBC's Community Based Learning Service provides:

 

• business advice - free, impartial and comprehensive business advice including pre-start, start-up and growing businesses
• managed workspace - a range of modern workshops and offices for start up and new businesses located in 7 business centres across the Borough
• administration support is usually available to our business centre tenants
• links to education and training, through CBL's network of community base learning and resource centres and/or other specialist providers.

 

 

Eligibility

 

Business Links are able to offer impartial and confidential advice and information on all aspects of business development including obtaining grants and or loans. Most grant and loan schemes are discretionary and usually have restricted eligibility.

Grants are available from many different sources, central and local government agencies, charitable foundations and private sector bodies.

There may be special initiatives or grants available for businesses, according to circumstances and geographical area.

Eligibility criteria will be specific to each grant or loan scheme.

 

How to access a business grant

 

Contact your local Business Link (by clicking on the link on the right hand side in 'Associated Links' section, or by telephoning 0845 600 9006) to see if there are any suitable grants for the project that you would like to undertake.

Registering for Business Link's on-line grant search facility enables you to access a wealth of information on the thousands of business grants and soft loans available within the region.

This information is constantly updated, allowing you to quickly and easily find which schemes you are eligible for.

The grant application process will differ from scheme to scheme.

 

Helplines

 

Business Link: 0845 600 9006
Barnsley Development Agency: 01226 784444
Regional Development Agency: Yorkshire Forward 0113 3949600 (8:30am to 5:30pm)
Community Based Learning: 01709 881951 Fax: 01709 881896

 

Charges/Fees

 

Dependent on Grant provider.

It is important to remember that businesses are usually required to meet some of the costs of the project, so you will have to be prepared to raise some finance as well.

 

Opening Times/Locations

 

Contact details for your local Business Link are listed on the website.
Alternatively, telephone: 0845 600 9006.

 

How the customer can help

 

You can help by making sure that your business plan is up-to-date and includes as much information as possible about your current situation and future developments. Your business plan should be clear and concise, and include details of your financial requirements.

Gather all the necessary documentation to accompany your business plan.

 

 

Response Times/Next Steps

 

Grant and loan applications can take a number of weeks to process. Most awarding bodies will ask you to demonstrate how grant funding will benefit your business and some may ask for proof that you have explored other financial options.

It is vital that you do not commence work on the project until you have received written confirmation that your grant application has been approved, as assistance will not usually be given in retrospect.

 

Out of Hours Procedure

 

Information is available via internet 24 hours a day from the Business Link South Yorkshire website.

 

Related Links:

• Business Link South Yorkshire
• The Department of Trade and Industry
• Small Business Service
• Barnsley Development Agency

Last modified on 16/9/2008